Umbra,
I think you are missing the point, fireworks release tons of particulate matter (PM 10), and though you mention the main elements of them, the smoke is the problem.  The air quality can be ridiculously bad, with thick clouds enveloping children and adults.  If you measure the air quality on that night we would exceed all standards, and allowing that is not good.  It's too bad the stands are manned by groups like the girl scouts and churches, as you would have to battle both the american way and the non-profits to make a difference. RS

RS,
Actually, I think you might be missing the point.  While fireworks undoubtedly have a negative effect on air quality (PM as well as heavy metals, POPs, etc.), these effects are very localized and brief.  The air quality immediately next to a campfire is also pretty horrendous, but they're not considered a serious health threat because most of us don't camp out every night.  I'm pretty sure if you even attempted to do "battle" with the Girl Scouts or the American Way in the name of environmentalism, you would do us all more harm than good.  Don't sweat the small stuff!

According to the most likely answer to what causes global heating -- the cosmic ray hypothesis of Henrik Svensmark, where low level cloud cover, formed by the impact of cosmic rays, regulates sunlight falling on the planet and hence temperature -- the smoggy fumes of fireworks will reduce the impact of heating by putting more particulate matter into the low level atmosphere.

Therefore, let "the bombs burst into air"!

In Nelson DeMille's latest novel he refers to the following as an old joke: What's the solution to global warming?   Nuclear winter.....

My problem isn't with the huge public fireworks.  As has already been stated, don't sweat the small stuff - it's only once a year.  My problem is with the backyard home fireworks.  Although they may be legal in some states, they are stupid everywhere.  Unless you are a licensed fireworks technician, you are just asking for property damage, injuries or even death.  It happens every year.  At that point, who cares about a a little particulate matter?

As bad as fireworks themselves may be, how do their explosion-related emissions stack up against the emissions caused when all the spectators drive cars from home to the fireworks display?

If there are no fireworks,
whatever are you going to do???.....?

Charades
Capture the flag
Find the constellations
Memory time tell stories about first job,first love,first bicycle,best vacation,proudest moment
Liars dice, poker, go fish, hearts,  
Squirt gun war or water balloons
Penny toss
Look at family photos, slides, videos
Listen to family musicians
Poem writing contest with red licorice prizes
Cherry seed spitting contest
Invite the neighbors
Dance
Read the Declaration of Independence
Declare how you will lower your carbon footprint
Eat pie, made of local fruit

LOVE THE 4TH OF JULY!!

For the large displays it would be great if Disney would release the patent on their compressed air launch system and if municipalities would require compressed air or a similar launch system.

This would at least eliminate part of the problem, and make some of us sweat the small stuff less...

Our "main concern," as environmentalists, is the well-being of the Earth's community of living creatures.  Global warming is currently but the most important of our sub-main concerns; and it is so very important, partly, because it deeply intersects with another, the biodiversity crisis.

Some of the links given by CyberBrook, e.g. all-creatures.org, express this concern, regarding fireworks, very nicely.

Thanks, Fabulous 2007, for your kind message.